Famous Film Disguises That Should’ve Failed

There’s nothing like a disguise to get a film hero out of a dangerous situation. In four very famous movies, the heroes are in the belly of the beast, and all signs point to capture when low and behold, disguises get them out of trouble, at least temporarily.

These films use virtually the same plan, three of which involve a rescue. But none of them should have worked, and our protagonists should have been beheaded. Let’s look.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

After arriving at the Death Star, Luke and Han ambush some stormtroopers, dress in their gear, and take Chewbacca prisoner as they walk through the Death Star to rescue Princess Leia.

The problem: Even Princess Leia doesn’t believe it. “Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?” And what’s up with Han doing the courteous thing and motioning to see if anyone else needs to use the elevator? Stormtroopers wouldn’t do that. Dead giveaway.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Frodo and Sam dress as orcs as they move through Mordor.

The problem: They’re what, three-feet tall? Wouldn’t the other orcs smell the Hobbits? And then there’s INSPECTION! Wouldn’t at least one of those orcs notice the two sneak away after causing a commotion?

The Wizard of Oz

The problem: Okay, obviously this one is supposed to be funny, but let’s at least acknowledge that this plan, which wasn’t even a plan because somehow they were ambushed and came out on top, would’ve failed miserably.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Somehow, Lando Calrissian, wearing a space football helmet, infiltrates Jabba the Hutt’s Skiff guard so he can keep an eye on Han Solo, who is frozen in carbonite.

The problem: Perhaps there’s an entire backstory to how Lando pulled this off, but for those of us who only watch the films and don’t read, this is outright implausible. A black man in a KKK hood infiltrating a Klan rally is more believable.

And then there’s this:

Princess Leia dresses up like the bounty hunter Boushh, brings a thermal detonator and Chewbacca to Jabba’s palace, and seems to fool everyone.

This is the best disguise out of all the ones already mentioned. However, it’s the only one that fails, and makes the least bit of sense. While Leia successfully gets Han out of the carbonite, she is then immediately discovered and taken prisoner, which further complicates the situation.

Since Lando is already there, why doesn’t he unfreeze Han? What was the purpose of putting Leia’s life in jeopardy? Sure, this plot point led to one of the best costumes in cinematic history, but if Leia never shows up, Luke would have still rescued Han, Jabba would have still been killed, and they would have gotten away.